Vapor spray system



Sept. 2, 1952 L. c. STEARMAN VAPOR SPRAY SYSTEM Filed Aug. 3, 1948 INVENTOR. L/ogd C. 5farman ATTORNEYS Patented Sept. 2, 1 952 ,STATES This invention relates generally to spray devices and particularly to thattype of device adapted for use in connection with spraying of liquid such asinsecticides, etc., where it isnecessary to, break the same'into a fine liquid spray or fog and to disperse the same over a substantial area.

In the past various forms of blowers have been utilized and liquid has been discharged into the air stream at various points and with varying results. All of these devices have been subject to various difliculties either by way of their failure to properly break the liquid into a mist or fog, because of their expense, because of their undue complexity, or because of other mechanical diniculties such as the difliculty of cleaning them, the difficulty of adjusting them, etc.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a liquid spray device which is easy to manufacture, easy to operate and simple to repair and adjust.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a device of the character described in which the liquid to be sprayed is discharged into the air stream in such a manner that complete atomization or vaporization of the same is attained.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will appear from the accompanying description taken in conjunction with the drawing in which:

Figure l is a side elevational view, partly in cross section, of a device incorporating my invention, and

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional detail taken along the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

As shown in Figure 1, I have provided a storage tank In in which a suitable quantity of liquid H, which is to be vaporized and discharged, is stored. The liquid ll passes from the tank Ill through a piping system consisting generally of a T l2, suitable conduit [3, valve I 4, conduit 15 and fitting I6 to a discharge nozzle which will more fully hereinafter be described.

I have also provided a blower [9 consisting of a housing 20, and a fan or rotor 2| which may be driven by any suitable means such as an electric motor or an internal combustion engine. The rotor 2| rotates at high speed and discharges a substantial quantity of air at high velocities through the discharge passage 22 which, as shown in Figure 1 is in the form of a truncated cone which is narrowed to a circular orifice 23 which opens into a flared nozzle 24, also in the form of a truncated cone, creating a Venturi tube. A second conduit 21 is provided generally as shown on the inflow side of the venturi which leads back V. .ap lication Augus ts, 194s; 'sasisozaza inning. (crass-" asp to' ftheftanl; l 0 and maintains [a slight jpressure upon. 't'hebo dy of liquid l l Thepurpose or apply-- in'g pressure to the upper surface of the body of liquid] I is, of course, toinsure a proper supply of liquid through the'c'onduit I5 to the nozzle system which will hereafter be described.

As is shown in Figure l the flared nozzle 24 is threaded at 30 to cooperate with threads 3| within housing 32 which forms the passageway 22. An annular orifice 33 is provided in housing 32 and is in communication with the conduit IS. The rear lip 36 of the nozzle 24 is adapted to be moved toward or away from the lip 23a of opening 23 by rotating the flared nozzle 24 as by means of a handle 31.

It is obvious that by rotating the flared nozzle 24 the lip 36 will be urged into contact with the lip 23a or will be urged away from the lip 23a depending upon the direction of rotation of the member 24. By varying the distance between the lip 36 and the lip 23a one will naturally vary the space between them and control the quantity of liquid which will pass between the lips into the air stream passing through the venturi formed by the passageway 22 and the member 24.

Operation of the device may briefly be described as follows:

A suitable quantity of liquid 1 l is placed in the tank ID. The rotor 2| is caused to rotate by any suitable source of power, the valve I4 is opened and liquid is allowed to flow through the fitting l2, conduit I3, valve l4, conduit [5 and fitting l6 into the annular orifice 33 in the housing 32. As air under pressure is forced in great volume and at high velocity through the passageway 22 and through the throat of the venturi created at 23 by the passageway 22 and the outwardly flared nozzle 24, the liquid forced from passageway 33 through the space between the members 22 and 24 will be discharged with the air stream through the nozzle 24. v

By varying the space between the lip 23a and the lip 36 one may vary the volume of liquid forced into the air stream from the annular orifice 33.

When one desires to cut off the flow of liquid into the air stream, rotation of the flared member 24 by operation of handle 31 until the lip 36 and the lip 23a engage, will suffice. Should foreign matter get into the annular orifice 33 or into the aperture between the lips 36 and 23a, merely increasing the distance between the lips 36 and 23a by rotation of the flared member 24 by means of handle 31 will usually open the aperq be utilized where-it-is desired that .the air blast.

be heatedjon where} it makes no difference whether the air blast is heated or not or when the impurities in the exhaust stream from the internal combustion engine do not detract from the effectiveness of the material being sprayedi Iclaim: H In a vapor spray apparatus, a sealed tank for containing the liquid to be sprayed;--means to produce a constant air pressure, fluid fiowcone necting means to apply said air pressure to the topof said tank from said means, aquickcut-off discharge nozzle comprising, a pair of' truncated cones, onefofsaid cones beingi-s'tationaryand providingja threaded body member atitssmaller. di ameter end for engagement withthe smaller, di

ameter end of said second cone, said second cone being movable thereby into and out of engagement with the smaller inner diameter of said stationary cone, said cones forming a Venturi tube having an adjustable and closable suction orifice,

and fluid flow means for connecting the bottom of said tank to said orifice.

LLQYD C. S'I'EARMAN. REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of. this patent: 15 UNITED STATES PATENTS Number" T Name Date 56.0 322 Peason 'May 26, 1896 692,378 Stansfield Feb. 4, 1902 949;7'61' Fleming Feb. 22, 1910 20 1,379,346 Kings May 24,1921 114541979 Muhlfield etal'. May-15-, I923 1,748,004 Urquliart Feb: 18; 1930' 2',020',-'7'78 Gregg Nov; 12,1935" 2,399,081":

Vose Apr: 23, 19465 

